Active duty suicides drop; national guard, reserves rise

2014-07-23T23:46:53Z

FORT HOOD, TX (KXXV) -

A new U.S. Department of Defense report on military suicides says suicides among active duty members fell in 2013. The quarterly report noted the rate fell four percent, from 22.7% in 2012, to 18.7% suicides per 100,000 members in 2013.

The Army had the highest number of suicides with 123 and an overall rate of 23%. The Navy had the lowest number of suicides in 2013, at 43.

"People are more aware of symptoms and warning signs," said Ft. Hood Suicide Prevention Program Manager Sharon Sutton. "They're getting involved and we're addressing people's stressors at an earlier point so it may not escalate to some type of suicide behavior."

According to the report, the amount of National Guard and Military Reserve members rose by .8% and 4.1%, respectively. Military officials said Wednesday those service members who do not live on a military installation may not have the access to the care they need.